Sochi, Russia: Japan House in Sochi Olympic Park is well worth a visit on a bit of downtime during the Winter Olympics. As well as an attractive Tokyo 2020 kiosk – proving very popular for photo ops with the public – there is information on the Japan team, a wall of honour for the medal-winners and a promotional booth for the OCA’s next Asian Winter Games, which will be held in Sapporo and Obihiro in 2017.

The most touching display, however, is a series of posters wishing the Japanese athletes all the best and drawn by children from the towns and villages struck by the earthquake and tsunami, which claimed the lives of around 20,000 people on March 11, 2011.

NOCs, IOC members, sponsors and other guests have all been entertained at Japan House, and the visitors have included new IOC President Thomas Bach and his predecessor, Jacques Rogge, as well as the Mayor of Sapporo.

Japan House is open from February 6-23, from 10am to 10.30pm. Medal-winners hold a press conference and reception at Japan House on the morning after their success.